Pedals turning, music playing and beer flowing – the beer bike combines exercise with exploration and a pint or two. It may be one of the more unusual ways to see the city, but, in many respects, it’s a logical and authentic alternative – Germany is, after all, renowned for its beer and its capital is well known for its flat landscape. Here’s our guide to beer biking in Berlin.

Combine exercise, beer and the history of Berlin on the beer bike

Explore the city with friends

If you’re in town with a group of family or friends, beer biking can be a great way to explore Berlin. You’ll be travelling faster than if you were walking, and it’s more environmentally friendly than a tour bus. At the same time, with someone else steering, you can simply enjoy the view with a beer along the way ­– just don’t stop turning those pedals. If beer isn’t your thing, there are other drink options, such as warming mulled wine in the colder months to help get you in the festive spirit.

Some companies offer currywurst tours (with or without beer)

Different companies offer varying versions of the beer bike tours, so you can explore the parts of Berlin that are most interesting for you. For example, Big Bike Berlin offers a tour along the route of the Berlin Wall, exploring the history of the divided city, as well as one through the new government district, including the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate. Big Bike Berlin also offers a currywurst tour, in honour of Berlin’s favourite snack – whether with beer or without. Other reputable companies that offer sightseeing tours of Berlin on beer bikes include Berlin City Tours and Berlin Adventure.

See famous sights like the Brandenburg gate while enjoying beer on a bicycle

How it works

The standard version of the beer bike has seating for 16 participants, of whom 10 will be pedalling to make sure you actually move and that it doesn’t just become a static bar in the middle of the bike path. You will also get a driver-guide who is in charge of navigating the beer bike through the city’s streets. There will usually be a roof, to keep you dry from the elements, and in the centre a bar with a beer tap hooked up to a keg to keep you refreshed on your journey. There are usually non-alcoholic drinks on offer as well. You can usually bring your own music on an iPod, smartphone or an MP3 player, and after that it’s basically up to you to climb on board and get the fun under way.

Usually the beer bike is rented by the hour and only for groups of six or more. Before you head out, you should let them know how much beer you want to take with you. The standard keg sizes are 10, 20 or 30 litres, which works out at 17, 35 or 52 pints. It is generally recommended to hire the beer bike for at least two hours, although all companies will offer different options, from one hour to a half or full day.

Big Bike Berlin's beer bike tour will take you along the Reichstag, among other monuments

How far can you go?

As Berlin is a notoriously flat city, you should be able to get the beer bike going at around four miles an hour, which is more than enough to get around the main sights and landmarks of the city centre in a couple of hours. Taking the opportunity to hire an additional tour guide alongside the driver will add to the cost, but it will give you someone on board with extensive local knowledge to tell you some interesting stories from the city as you pedal along. It’s also important to know that all the different companies will only let you start the tour if you arrive sober, and will breathalyse anyone they suspect of being drunk before the tour begins.

Not just for stag parties

Although the stereotype of the typical beer bike group is that of a stag or hen party using every opportunity to drink and be merry during their time in Berlin, all kinds of different groups enjoy the beer bike tours, whether celebrating a birthday, a family trip to the city or simply a group of pals looking for an unusual way to explore Berlin’s history. As the beer bikes can usually only be rented in their entirety, you decide who is on board with you and what type of tour it will be. Matching t-shirts are most definitely an optional extra.

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A unique experience

Ultimately, the beer bike is an unforgettable way to explore Berlin with a group of friends. It’s not so much about consuming lots of drinks, but more about moving through the historic city in a sociable and unique manner, offering you an experience that you’re not likely to forget in a hurry. Travelling should be about coming home with great stories, and there can be few better tales to tell your friends and family back home than about the afternoon you spent moving through the German capital on your very own bar with wheels.